Usage in battles

New drivers of the Challenger 1 will appreciate a similar play style to the earlier Chieftain tanks, particularly the Chieftain Mk 10. Like the Mk.10, the Challenger has a very strong turret, with composite armor protecting the entire front and part of the sides. Frontally, the turret can protect against, at maximum, 470 mm of kinetic (APFSDS, APDS, AP, etc.) and 750 mm of chemical (HEAT, ATGM, etc.) penetrators. This makes the turret theoretically invulnerable to all ammo in the game, excluding the HOT missile on the Raketenjagdpanzer 2 HOT. In practice, however, there is a weak spot on the lower leading edge of the turret front, where the backing plate of the composite inside the turret flattens to a 90° angle, reducing the effective thickness of that section by about 100 mm when the tank is level (making it vulnerable to APFSDS and some APDS). Players can minimize this weak spot by going hull-down on the incline of a hill, and using the Challenger's excellent -10° of gun depression to keep the gun on target. This will increase the angle of the turret and thus increase the effective thickness of the back-plate on the turret.

The hull is similarly protected, providing protection against 400 mm of kinetic and 600 mm of chemical penetrators on the upper frontal plate, excluding the drivers port. The lower frontal plate is notably weak, providing only 70 mm of thickness, or about 80-90 mm of effective thickness. This is due to a total lack of composite on the LFP, meaning that shots here will either incapacitate the driver or explode the hull ammunition, destroying the tank. British tankers should be quite used to this weakspot by this point, as the weak LFP is present on the entire Chieftain line.

The Challenger's speed sets it apart from the previous Chieftain tanks, as it is capable of reaching 56 km/h on roads and 46 km/h offroad with pretty good reverse speed, but weight of this vehicle (62 tons) doesn't make things so simple. Forget a speed competition with other tanks like Abrams, Leopard, or Type 90 which are far superior in terms of mobility and speed.

When encountering common enemies:
T-64B: L23A1 APFSDS can theoretically penetrate the UFP, but it is difficult. The drivers port weakspot is the recommended target from the front. If not possible, aim for the breech/cannon barrel to eliminate the threat of return fire

T-64A (1971): APFSDS will go right through the front of this tank, but the Challenger can still be penetrated by the top APFSDS (3BM12) in the weak spot on the turret's leading edge.

Leopard 2K: Probably the most dangerous opponent, as its APFSDS can go right through the upper front plate and parts of the turret. Shoot anywhere but the front of the turret, unless trying to take out the Leo's cannon barrel.

Leopard A1A1: Its APFSDS poses a risk to the weakspot on the turret, but only if it gets the first shot off. Shoot anywhere.

Modules

The FPE module should be a priority, since the fuel tanks are located all around the hull above the tracks, meaning that the tank will be set on fire often. This comes with added protection, however, as the fuel tanks will frequently absorb most shrapnel - protecting the crew and ammunition from the occasional side-shot - giving the player ample time to return fire and eliminate the threat.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Good composite armour for both kinetic and chemical protection for both hull and turret

Very accurate main gun with good gun stabilizers and decent stock APDS shell

Very good mobility for it weight and size

Good APFSDS shells

Good forward and reverse speed

Cons:

Large target

Driver's optics weakspot on the upper frontal plate

No composite armour on lower glacis plate and rear of the turret

Average rate of fire

HESH shell largely useless

Very thin armour protection

Ammunition takes a lot of space (easy to hit)

History

In 1977, the Iranian government ordered an improved version of the Chieftain tank, which was arguably the best main battle tank (MBT) in service at its time. The Chieftain offered unparalleled protection and firepower; however, its mobility was lackluster and something its successor needed to improve upon. In response, the engineers at the MVEE created the Chieftain Mk.5(P), from which three additional prototypes were created. It was one of these prototypes that would become the basis for the Challenger 1. Unfortunately, after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and the fall of the Shah, Iran canceled its order for an improved Chieftain. In addition, a parallel British tank project (the MBT90) was also abandoned, and the British Army quickly became a new potential customer for a new MBT.

The Challenger's design was based on the cancelled project called "Shir-2”" planned for export to Iran, and retained its deadly 120mm gun and superb armour. The Challenger was also equipped with Chobham armour, a composite armour made from multiple layers of different materials. The additional materials gave the Challenger its distinctive, heavily-sloped armour on the front of the turret and upper glacis. The Challenger’s mobility and off-road capabilities were significantly improved with the installation of a new 1,200 horsepower Rolls-Royce engine and hydropneumatic suspension. The Challenger 1 entered production and service in 1983. Production ended in 1990, having yielded a total of about 420 vehicles. It served primarily with British forces during the Gulf War. It was also used in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the mid 1990s, and Jordan still operates a number of Challenger 1 tanks to this day. The Challenger 1 was withdrawn from active service by 2001 and later replaced by the Challenger 2.